Since I’ve been back in Calgary, I’ve been watching a lot of Food Network as I’d been on withdrawal for the last 8 months.  One new (to me anyways) host caught my eye.  Two of my favourite things are fashion and food – combine together and I instantly swoon.  When I discovered that one of the Food Network hosts whips up meals while wearing Betsey Johnson AND stilettos, well, be still my heart!   Starting as an online show, Bitchin’ Kitchen is now a late night favourite on the Food Network.

Nadia G, the master chef on Bitchin’ Kitchen makes me want to cook in style, so don’t be surprised if you see my cooking up a storm in heels and a gorgeous dress in the fall!  All I need is the perfect apron to protect my beloved dresses.  While I think I might try and make my own, there are many different styles on Etsy for those who cannot sew (or do not have mother’s that they hope will help them!) My favourites are the cupcake and hedgehog aprons from Annie’s Attic, or the cupcake one by Baked With Love Aprons.

Image from Bitchin’ Kitchen.

I recently rented “Coco avant Chanel” starring the lovely Audrey Tatou.  Once I figured out the subtitles on my parents new-ish TV, I fell in love with the film.  On top of stellar performances, the fashion hit the mark.  While the clothes were perfect for the time period, there were many pieces that would work right now.  In the film Coco is constantly taking clothing from Balsan, altering them to fit her own appearance.  With the growing popularity of menswear inspired clothing, women no longer have to borrow from their man’s closet.  One of my favourite looks is this white and blue striped shirt, which is echoed by the nautical trend this season.  You can pick up your own striped boat shirt from Forever 21, Gap, or Aerie.

My absolute favourite look is Coco’s masculine riding look.  Showing the impracticality of trying to wear a dress while riding a horse, this look incorporates practical pieces that would fit into anyone’s wardrobe.  White button-up shirts are a wardrobe staple that can be dressed up for business appropriate looks, or dressed down for casual attire.  Other notes from this outfit are: masculine pants, which can be channeled today with the popular boyfriend pant; the menswear vest; and the necktie tied into a bow, though now, this is often incorporated into a shirt.  While it might look sloppy to put too many menswear pieces together, pairing feminine pieces with menswear inspired pieces to update the look. 

The last part of the film showcases Coco designing her line of clothing.  Though she is wearing a skirt in this photo, her look is still quite basic – although very elegant.  For workwear, a look inspired by Coco Chanel is easy to pull off.  Clean lines and solid colours, paired with classic accessories create a professional outfit.  Buying quality pieces that fit well, is a smart investment as they will last for a long time.

Screenshots borrowed from Fanpop.

Today would have been Audrey Hepburn’s birthday, which I celebrated by watching “How to Steal a Million” one of my favourite of her films.  A romantic comedy and heist movie all in one, this movie is a must-see.  On top of the enjoyable plot line, I adore the fashion in this movie – which, of course were designed by Givenchy.  In December, during an auction of costumes worn by Audrey, the black lace dress and jacket alone were sold for a whopping £60,000.

The classic fashion sense of Audrey Hepburn is timeless, meaning that even today clothing from her movies can be used as inspiration.  The black lace dress, especially, can be incorporated into anyone’s wardrobe, with the rising popularity of lace in stores.  Black lace dresses from ModCloth and Ruche are modern day interpretations of this famous dress.  In the movie it is paired with a gorgeous matching eyemask, dramatic eyeshadow and statement earrings.  Though this look was meant to blend in at the Ritz bar, the elegance of this outfit is far from understated.  When shopping for a lace dress, keep Audrey’s ladylike elegance in mind, and steer clear of the super-short mini dress from American Apparel.

Another main feature of Audrey’s look in the film, is her bee-hive hair.  Though this look might seem best left to the 1960s, Jessica Schroeder of What I Wore proves this look can be updated and worn in the present.  Other accessories worn by Audrey which showcase the best of the sixties are the pillbox hat and the round, oversized sunglasses, popularized by Jackie O.

With each costume change, Audrey has a different statement coat.  Each style is quite different, but all are equally gorgeous.  As retailers are slashing prices on their winter stock, keep your eyes open for statement coats for next winter (or if you’re in Calgary, like me you can probably start enjoying them now!)  The Venice Biennial Jacket from ModCloth and the Holly Golightly Trench from Lulus are just a couple coats that echo Audrey’s elegance.

Screenshots borrowed from Movie Title Stills Collection and Fanpop.

My closet is becoming a mix of designer and standard retailer clothing. I am a university student with a limited clothing budget but a love for well made, unique clothing.  While I often covet designer or even high-end chain retailer clothing, they often do not fit into my limited budget, as a result,  I have developed a method for shopping:

1. Always be on the lookout – I tend to find my favourite pieces when I’m not even looking for them. When I’m shopping I’m always on the lookout for good deals and special pieces that are unlike other things in my closet.

2. a) Shop sales – I shop high end sales, and keep my eye out for good deals. In order to avoid frivolous purchases I try and buy things that I covet at full price. It’s not a good deal regardless of price if it’s not something you really need.  One of my signature pieces, the Club Monaco zebra dress, was found for only $69 – it hit the racks at $189 but I watched until it went to a price I couldn’t say no.

B) Know seasonal sales – my favourite boutique in Calgary has amazing boxing week sales. I’ve made it a rule to only buy jeans during this sale so I can afford my Fidelity jeans, the only brand I really like.

Nanette Lepore Dress (Danielle's Consignment Boutique)

3. Shop consignment – I haven’t had much luck in this sense in Toronto, but while home in Calgary I have a circuit of consignment stores I frequent. At one, shopgirls from Holt Renfrew regularly consign their only once worn dresses that I can snap up for a fraction of the cost.
B) Watch sales – Danielle’s Consignment Boutique in Calgary has sales regularly, meaning you can often get at least an additional 20 per cent off items.  This Nanette Lepore dress started at $189, but when reduced in price I managed to snag it at a discount.
C) Shopping online consignment – if you know how certain brands or labels fit, it’s safer to buy from online consignment boutiques. However since you can’t try them on, there is still a risk it won’t fit and will be a waste of money.  If you live in Canada, check out My Ex-Closet; depending what city you live in, you can even arrange to consign your own pieces through this site.

D) Vintage & Thrift Store – I have friends that find a lot of pieces from either vintage or thrift stores around Toronto.  While I don’t have a lot of pieces found from these types of stores, I do have a few fun pieces I have found – for example, I have this semi-ridiculous bright purple, high-waisted skirt found at Goodwill for $7.

4. Know when to spend and when to save – There are some items that are worth a splurge and others that are not. As I outline in the College Candy article, items that you wear often are worth the money, while trendy items worn for only one season are not.

5. Consider cost-per-wear – This fits into the spend and save attitude.  Items that you wear a lot and for multiple seasons will have a lower cost-per-wear than trendy items that go out of style after a season.  I usually put more money into classic items as they not only go with almost everything else in my closet, but they transition timelessly through seasons.

Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 (Style.com)

RIP Alexander McQueen

Check College Candy for my tribute to “l’enfant terrible” with the best from his collections.

Saturday is the official start of spring. And I couldn’t be more thrilled. With it brings the ability to wear sandals, skirts, shorts, and the end of the evils of winter. Namely, Sweats and Uggs. These, are the bane of my winter existence. I cringe every time I see people doing this. Demonstrated by Paris Hilton – in the worst possible way – bright coloured sweats and coloured Uggs. There is only one way to describe this looks and it’s UGLY! With the start of spring, I hope this look will be abandoned – and maybe, just maybe, next winter it will be gone for good, but one can only hope.